Virtual Songlines

Virtual Songlines, is a series of short video renditions of our immersive and interactive cultural heritage simulations. Each work represents the primary artistic purpose of rendering geospatially the virtual heritage of First Nations people of Australia before European Colonisation. Our creative mission seeks to breathe cultural life back into the cities and regional towns by harnessing the power of digital and virtual technologies and photorealistic animation. We are rendering a suite of short videos that showcase the many interactive games, and augmented and virtual reality applications that we have developed as immersive experiences that transport audiences into the local, authentic immersive and interactive homelands of my ancestors. Through each digital environment, we hope to educate, inspire, and foster a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship, cultural resilience and connection to places and spaces of First Nations societies who came before them. Each work is not merely a virtual representation but also a celebration of our past that once was and a call to action to reflect, recognise, and respect our present and possible futures. In a time of social, political, and ecological crisis, the cultural homogenisation and wisdom of our First Nations Elders and Custodians offer invaluable lessons in sustainable use of our environment, raw material resources, social and community values, and the importance of coexistence with the natural world. We seek to offer a gentle reminder not to forget these lessons preserved and shared as wisdom by our Elders - who are represented as virtual custodians and guiding lights to inspire our present and future generations.

Cultural Disclaimer: The content presented in my work is inspired by and draws upon the cultural knowledge and traditions shared with me by many clans from many Nations, via the Local Aboriginal Lands Councils and key cultural advisors. While I strive to represent these traditions with the utmost respect, authenticity and geospatial accuracy, it is important to acknowledge that the cultural knowledge shared in my art and artistic expression, is not exhaustive and does not represent the full breadth, depth and complexity of First Nations cultures that claim our sovereignty has never been ceded over the lands and waters of Australia.

  • Brett Anthony Leavy
    Director
  • Brett Anthony Leavy
    Writer
  • Brett Anthony Leavy
    Producer
  • Tenzin Lundberg
    Key Collaborators
  • Mia Hacker
    Key Collaborators
  • Project Type:
    Virtual Reality, Installation, Game, Interactive Film, 360 Video
  • Maximum Runtime:
    25 hours
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    3,000,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sydney
    Australia
    July 2, 2023
    Sydney International Convention Centre
  • Herberton Historical Village
    Australia
    July 20, 2024
    July 2023
  • National Maritime Museum
    Sydney
    Australia
    July 14, 2023
    July 2023
  • Melbourne
    Australia
    October 23, 2024
    Ian Potter Museum
Director Biography - Brett Anthony Leavy

Artistic Statement for Brett Leavy
Artist Name: Brett Leavy
Cultural Affiliation: Kooma (South West Queensland)

As a Kooma man, my creative industry work is deeply rooted in my ancestors' ancient traditions, languages, stories, and cultural wisdom. Through my art and digital recreations, I strive to bridge the past and the present, honouring 65,000 years of continuous cultural heritage while embracing the possibilities of modern computer graphics - a new technology for an ancient culture. My mission using these digital tools, is to reconstruct virtual landscapes as a canvas to preserve and share the rich tapestry of First Nations culture, allowing others to experience and connect with the land, stories, and spirituality in situ, cultural placemaking in spaces that have sustained my people for millennia before.
Virtual Songlines, via this short rendition, called Warrane represent my primary artistic virtual heritage creative practice, a living, breathing embodiment of this mission. By harnessing the power of photorealistic animations represented through short videos, games, and augmented and virtual reality, I create immersive experiences that transport audiences into immersive and interactive virtual homelands of my ancestors. Through these digital realms, I aim to educate, inspire, and foster a deeper appreciation for the environmental stewardship and cultural resilience that are hallmarks of Indigenous Australian societies.
My work is not merely a representation but also a celebration of a past that once was and is a call to action to reflect, recognise, and respect our present and possible futures. In a time of social, political, and ecological crisis, the cultural homogenisation and wisdom of our First Nations Elders and Custodians offer invaluable lessons in sustainable use of our environment, raw material resources, social and community values, and the importance of coexistence with the natural world. My art seeks to be a gentle reminder not to forget these lessons preserved and shared as wisdom by our Elders - who are represented as virtual custodians and guiding lights to inspire our present and future generations.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Cultural Disclaimer
The content presented in my work is inspired by and draws upon the cultural knowledge and traditions shared with me by many clans of the Eora Nations, via the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Lands Council and many other Local Aboriginal Land Councils across. While I strive to represent these traditions with the utmost respect, authenticity and geospatial accuracy, it is important to acknowledge that the cultural knowledge shared in my art and artistic expression, is not exhaustive and does not represent the full breadth, depth and complexity of First Nations cultures that claim our sovereignty has never been ceded over the lands and waters of Australia.
This particular work has been created to preserve and share the cultural history and connection of the Gadigal people of the Sydney CBD and is for edutainment and artistic purposes. It is not intended for commercial exploitation or misappropriation. I respectfully ask that viewers and participants of my creative culturally inspired works engage with an open heart and mind, recognising the cultural sensitivities and intellectual property inherent in these stories and traditions are not mine but passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial.